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AUGUST 2022 Introduction from the Chair.
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With so much going on in your u3a, it is always a challenge to know what to include in each monthly Newsletter. As you know, last month’s weather warning saw a last-minute cancellation of the Monthly Meeting.
Fortunately, the email and phone call campaign by the Committee worked well and with only one exception no-one arrived to find the Priory Centre closed.
The cover photo shows the recent successful outing organised by Iris Parr and enjoyed by 40 members; travelling by coach to look around Windsor plus a river cruise, with afternoon tea, from Runnymede and along the Thames.
Monthly Meetings.
At this month's meeting on Tuesday 16th we are pleased to welcome Barbara Meyer who will be speaking about and illustrating, on screen, her experiences when “Going on Safari in South Africa”
As reported last month, there will be no entry fee to Monthly Meetings!
This move is intended to make the Monthly Meetings even more attractive to members. So, please spread the word and invite any family and friends who have not enjoyed the u3a experience and may wish to join.
As always, if you see a new face you do not recognise, introduce yourself and make any new members feel welcome.
Tea and Coffee will again be provided by our Refreshments Team, followed by the mini-quiz for those who are interested.
Membership Renewals.
We currently have about 10% of members yet to renew before the renewal window closes at the end of August.
If you haven't already, please renew on line, as soon as you can. The Membership Desk will also be operational as usual at the Monthly Meeting, to enable members to renew in person before the meeting, including the facility to pay by card or cheque. Please arrive about 20 minutes early if you wish to use that facility.
Xmas Party.
Continuing to look ahead, the December Monthly Meeting will again be the setting for the Xmas party. This year it falls on the 13th December and will feature a new entertainer/singer, Hayley Di Rito.
More details later but put the date in your diary, you won’t want to miss it.
Stay safe and keep in touch. Ian. |
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AGM September 20th 2022
As before, these notices will be made available to members by email, by the 30th August. The email will include the necessary reports for your consideration plus the links and forms for members to vote on any Executive Committee (EC) positions which are up for election or re-election. i.e....
Treasurer position. Martin Howell has been nominated for the Treasurer position. Mavis Thompson is stepping down after 6 years in the role but is willing to remain on the committee as Assistant Treasurer.
Committee Member positions. 7 of the remaining incumbents of Committee positions are also willing to continue for another year.
In addition to the above, we have the facility to co-opt 2 members willing onto the Committee. No specific expertise is required just the enthusiasm to help the continued development of your u3a.
If you are willing, or you know someone who is willing to step up, a blank nomination form can be copied here for completion and return by email to ann.ferguson1@hotmail.co.uk with full details of Nominee, Proposer and Seconder plus signatures (electronic signatures are acceptable).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me to discuss.
At this time there are no Motions to be put to the membership. If this should change before the AGM a separate notice will be issued at least 21 days in advance.
On-Line Voting will open on 9th September via the voting site on Mailchimp. This automatically records and counts the votes under each of the required topic headings.
(Members who share the same email address can vote twice).
Members may also vote in person at the September Monthly Meeting (AGM).
All attendees can enjoy the planned tea/coffee and cakes; plus applaud the presentation of 20 Year Badges to the members who have passed that milestone during the year.
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Group News
We continue to point members, new and old, to the Group tab on the Website and to the Group Status Chart for the latest information on which Groups meet when and where. Please contact the relevant Group Leader if you wish to attend any Group for a free taster session.
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Group Specific News.
Walking Cricket. This new Group has now started and meets weekly on Wednesdays at 11am at the One Leisure Centre, Eynesbury. Leader Nigel Turner, will explain the rules for any new members, but the principal objective is to have fun and the activity is open to all members.
Click here to register your interest if you haven’t already.
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The Petanque Group is now full and a waiting list is in place for new members.
We may consider starting up another Group with another Group Leader, at a different time or venue, if there is sufficient interest. Click here to register your interest .
Cycling Group. This weekly meeting day has changed to Wednesdays at 10am. See the website for more details or contact Group Leader Alasdair Kennedy.
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The Cinema Group film selection this month is "My Sister's Keeper". Film screenings start at 2pm in the Guest Hall at the Priory Centre, every 3rd Friday. Members of the Group receive an email each month advising of the film choice, with more details of the film description. If you would like to join the group please Click here to register your interest .
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Group Leaders' Meeting.
The date for the October Group Leaders meeting has now changed to October 14th at 2pm. At this meeting your Group Leaders and your Committee talk about each Group Activity, its progress, attendance levels verses costs and any requests for support to keep the Groups momentum going forward. If members of any Groups have ideas or constructive suggestions on those issues, please feel free to speak to your Group Leader ahead of the October meeting.
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Outings & Holiday News
Birmingham International Military Tattoo - Sunday 11th September
Torquay and Tinsel Holiday, 28th November - 2nd December 2022
The above Outings/Holidays are fully booked but members can still request to be added to the reserve lists.
If any members have any queries or suggestions for future outings or holidays, please see any of the Outings Review Team, Jill Richardson, Iris Parr or Pat Hills at a Monthly Meeting.
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Publicity News
Publicity Team Member Trevor Parmenter can confirm that our publicity stands will be at The Dragon Boat Race event, August 20th in the Regatta Meadow
The following day, Sunday August 21st our very own Ukulele Strummers will be headlining “Bands in the Park” at the Riverside Park. Why not bring a picnic and we could create a u3a picnic area?
Look out for the u3a publicity gazebos, we will be there!
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Life Stories or Events from our Members
One side of a phone conversation, as relayed to Trevor Parmenter. (P&C Team)
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Why didn’t you call me earlier?.....when I was at lunch...I can’t chat now, I’m back in the office, clients outside waiting ..You don’t want to chat….. you’re where?
You’re breaking up.. I thought you said on the roof... you did... really?
Just a minute, I’ll have to deal with this..
Sorry, Miss Davies, I have my mother on the phone, give them coffee, would you please ? there’s a problem... Mother, are you there?.... What roof? Have you finally cracked? Or have I ? You’re scaring me now. Get down at once....You can’t...The ladder slipped! So where is it? ...On the patio. Right. This is serious. Why did you feel the need to climb onto the roof? ...The crows! What crows?... The ones trying to build nests under the solar panels. Well, let them get on with it! They’ll damage the wires – for goodness sake! So - you put the short ladder up to climb onto the extension roof, then pulled it up to climb up to the second storey-- Mother, you are 74! This is crazy! So you climbed up over the guttering, with the broom to rake the nests out – where are you now?... Behind the chimney stack. Keep still, please...you have to call for help, well call the Fire Brigade .. Why can’t you? Call old Mr Jenkins next door, he’s the only one near enough to help, he’s quite sprightly……why can’t you? You’re what? I thought you said naked there for a minute, keep still!..... You did say that…… National Naked Gardening Day. Yes, perfect weather for it today…. I know how private you are there, only cows at the back hedge to peer at you. What? I’m sorry Miss Davies, you’ll have to reschedule them, this is worse than I thought.
You can’t call Mr Jenkins because he’s a bachelor. He can’t see you in your birthday suit because it needs ironing .. Call 999. No. All those young Firemen .. what? Your battery is fading. So where did you carry your phone, if it isn’t a rude question? In your teeth? Oh, that nice bumbag the twins gave you for Christmas, Yes, I did say you should always have your phone when you’re down the garden. I’ll have to come, it’s at least half an hour. Sit tight. Don’t move. You can’t? Why not? Your left foot is trapped under the solar panels. Because the Ocado van was coming down the lane and you had to hide behind the chimney for obvious reasons.. and your foot slipped. Great. I’m coming, I’m on my way.
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Recommendations from a Member.
Hi. I thought this might be interesting for some of the u3a members.
Libby is a free app for both IOS and Android which links to the library service.
If you are a library member then input your library card details but if not then you can join through the app. I wasn’t and it was easy to join Cambridge Libraries.
Once you have joined you get access to books, magazines, newspapers and audio books all free. It works the same as the library and once a book is 'taken out' you get three weeks to read it or renew it. You can link it across your devices so I also have it on my phone. This lets me play audio books through Apple Car Play but I expect you can also use Bluetooth and Android Auto.
This link is to the Libby web page and gives more info. https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby
Kind regards, Stephen Stackhouse.
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If you haven't already....
how about following the Facebook page "u3a: Keeping in Touch." Apart from the useful and interesting information contained, the humour never fails to brighten the day; as illustrated by the example.
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Bite Size Newsletter
For email buddies who wish to print a bite size version of this Newsletter,
please click here.
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Featured Sites (Links to previous items of interest)
Feel free to click on these links for a wealth of interest and fun.
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Community News.
Wimpole Hall are looking for volunteers to support their work across all parts of this beautiful, bustling, working estate. They currently have opportunities for:
Visitor Welcome, Bookshop Volunteers, Food and Beverage,
Tree Maintenance Volunteers, Seasonal Display Volunteers,
Visitor Operations Volunteers
To enquire about any of these opportunities, or to express an interest, visit their website
Join the Wimpole team | National Trust
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Black Cat Radio.
Ernie Almond, of Black Cat Radio, is promoting a show which appears at the Priory Centre on 28th October 2022.
He is pleased to recommend this show as a comedy event for the family, featuring Rollo and Tommy J with "Laugh your Socks off"
Tickets are available from the box office 01480 388922 or click here for more details.
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We receive almost daily shout-outs promoting St Neots u3a and every month we get a session with Ernie Almond, on his morning programme, to talk about our activities.
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If you are a non-member reading this Newsletter
and you want to
LEARN, LAUGH and LIVE
visit our website www.u3asites.org.uk/st-neots
or contact the Membership Secretary,
Tony Summerlin 01480 210416
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